Heart failure in the dogs is one of the most serious conditions which cause sudden death of the dog. You should know about the early symptoms and critical signs of heart failure in dogs because early diagnosis helps to prevent further complications. The early symptoms of heart failure are mild which can be overlooked easily but these symptoms can cause quiet and sudden death of a dog.
The muscles of the heart are weakened and the heart is unable to pump blood which causes sudden death. Heart failure is a fatal disease that harms silently without the pet parent noticing. Pet Nutrition plays an important role in the prevention of heart failure in dogs. This blog of Park Hills Animal Hospital will guide you about the wellness of your pet and this wellness guide should be very helpful to prevent the heart failure of your dog.
How Heart Failure Develops in Dogs?
Heart failure develops when the heart discontinues pumping enough blood to the body of the dog. The overflow of blood weakens the heart which causes sudden heart failure in the dogs. Oxygenated blood is essential for the vital organs of dogs. The fluid buildup in the lungs of a dog disrupts the flow of oxygenated blood which causes heart failure. This type of heart failure is called congestive heart failure in dogs. The major symptoms of congestive heart failure in dogs are persistent coughing with bleeding or foam and severe weight loss.
Many factors can cause heart failure and congestive heart failure is the most common. Age of the dog is also a common cause of heart failure because old age dogs are vulnerable to heart muscle fatigue. As the muscles weaken due to the dog’s old age, it can also cause sudden heart failure.
The lifestyle of the dog is another common factor of heart failure because a lack of exercise and poor oral hygiene of the dog can also cause heart failure. You should get to know that the mouth of your dog is a house of millions of bacteria which can mix in the bloodstream with the food which can cause infection. This infection sometimes causes heart failure in dogs, which is why Pet Dental Care is essential for the wellness of dogs.
Early Symptoms Pet Parents Notice in Heart Failure
Heart failure develops slowly but it can be prevented with early diagnosis and proper treatment. You should get to know about the symptoms of heart failure which help to prevent serious conditions. There are some early symptoms of heart failure in dogs:
- Frequent Coughing or Labored Breathing
- Unusual Fatigue or Low Energy
- Loss of Appetite or Weight Changes
- Swelling in Abdomen, Legs or Chest
- Rapid or Irregular Heartbeat
- Behavioral Changes and Restlessness
- Exercise Intolerance or Difficulty Moving
Critical Signs of Heart Failure in Dogs You Should Never Ignore
The early symptoms of heart failure in the dogs can be ignored but every pet parent should not ignore the critical signs of heart failure. These critical signs of heart failure are the alarming signs that warn the pet parent about the development of heart failure.
- Severe Difficulty in Breathing
- Persistent Coughing with Foam or Blood
- Fainting or Collapsing Episodes
- Bluish Gums or Tongue
- Sudden Swelling of Abdomen or Legs
- Rapid or Irregular Heartbeat at Rest
- Extreme Weakness or Inability to Move
When Heart Failure Reaches the Final Stage
The final stage of heart failure in dogs is very serious because the heart can not maintain the circulation of blood and medications may not be helpful in this condition. The belly of the dog is swollen and the dog refuses to eat the food. There are some signs when heart failure reaches the final stage.
- Complete Loss of Energy
- Severe Fluid Retention
- Heart Rhythm Abnormalities
- Kidney or Liver Dysfunction
- Persistent Restlessness
- Rapid Decline in Condition Despite Treatment
- Difficulty in standing or moving for long periods
- Loss of Appetite and Severe Weight Loss
- Pale Gums Due to Poor Oxygen Supply
Modern Diagnostic Tools Used to Detect Heart Failure
The accurate diagnosis of a disease helps the vet to determine the stage of heart failure in a dog. Park Hills Animal Hospital has experienced staff and modern diagnostic tools to detect heart failure in dogs.
Echocardiograms are a modern diagnostic tool that helps the vet by visualizing the weak valves and enlarged chambers of the heart. Chest X-ray helps to determine the size of the heart and lungs ofa dog. This chest X-ray also helps to determine the fluid in the lungs, which causes heart failure in dogs. There is another diagnostic tool, which is an ECG machine, that is used to determine the activity of the heart of dogs in severe cases.
Treatment Options for Heart Failure in Dogs
Heart failure in dogs treatment depends upon the stage because most of the treatments help to remove fluid, strengthen the heart function and reduce symptoms of heart failure in dogs. The medications help to remove the fluid buildup in the lungs and reduce pressure on lungs. You should get to know that medications for heart failure in dogs are helpful during early and sometimes critical symptoms. There are some cases in which oxygen is necessary for the life of the dog and vets give oxygen therapy to stabilize the breathing of the dog.
The improvement in the lifestyle of dogs also plays a vital role in the recovery of dogs during medication and treatment. Controlled exercises help the dog to recover rapidly during medication. You should give sodium diets because these diets help to prevent fluid buildup in the lungs of dogs.
Conclusion
Heart failure in dogs is a fatal disease that develops slowly but causes sudden death because the symptoms of this disease are quiet and many pet parents ignore these symptoms. You should get to know about the symptoms of heart failure in dogs. Congestive heart failure is very common in dogs, in which the fluid builds up in the lungs. This fluid disrupts the oxygen in the blood which weakens the heart and causes heart failure in dogs.
FAQ’s
How do vets diagnose heart failure in dogs?
Vets use modern diagnostic tools which help to diagnose heart failure and these tools are the ECG machine, chest X-rays and echocardiograms.
Why does congestive heart failure cause coughing in dogs?
The congestive heart failure in dogs causes severe coughing because the fluids block the airways in the lungs and cause irritation while breathing.
How long can a dog live with heart failure using treatment?
The life of the dog depends upon the stage of heart failure and dogs may live for several months to years and can recover with treatments.
What lifestyle changes help a dog with heart failure feel better?
You should give sodium-rich foods, a calm environment, and light exercises to your dog which should be helpful in recovery from heart failure in dogs.
